Nectarine tree, &#39;Burnectwentytwo&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica  sub species  nuciperisica ), denominated varietally as ‘Burnectwentytwo’, and which produces an attractively colored white-fleshed, non-melting, sub-acid clingstone nectarine, which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately May 25 to June 4 under ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica (subspecies nucipersica), which has been denominated varietally as ‘Burnectwentytwo.’

The present variety of nectarine tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of available deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of prunus, malus and regia species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling ‘Burnectwentytwo’ was originated by us from a population of seedlings grown in our experimental orchards located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were the result of a controlled cross made in February of 1998, of the yellow-flesh nectarine tree, Crimson Baby (unpatented), which was used as the seed parent; and a sub-acidic white-fleshed, nectarine tree ‘Arctic Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,322) which was used as the pollen parent. One seedling, identified as ‘E45.004’, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was marked for subsequent observation. After the 2000 fruiting season, the new, present variety, was selected for advanced evaluation and re-propagation.

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was accomplished by budding the new nectarine tree to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (unpatented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burnectwentytwo’ is a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which is considered a regular and productive bearer of relatively firm, sub-acidic white fleshed, non-melting, clingstone fruit which have good flavor and eating quality. The tree of the present variety displays a medium low high chilling requirement of approximately 550 hours. Still further, the present tree also produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree. Additionally, the fruit produced by the present tree has a high degree of red skin coloration, a firm flesh, and appears to have good handling and shipping qualities. The ‘Burnectwentytwo’ nectarine tree bears fruit which are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately May 25 to June 4 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. In relative comparison to the seed parent, the ‘Burnectwentytwo’ nectarine exhibits white flesh whereas the ‘Crimson Baby’ exhibits yellow flesh. In relative comparison to the nectarine, ‘Arctic Star’ (U.S. Pat. No. 9,332), which is the pollen parent and the most similar variety known to the inventors at this time, the present new variety produces fruit which are larger and exhibits a cleaner finish than that produced by the ‘Arctic Star’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing, which is provided, is a color photograph of the new variety of nectarine tree. The photograph depicts two whole mature fruit, and one mature fruit which is dissected substantially at the equatorial plane, viewed from the apical perspective, and exposing the flesh and a portion of the stone. The external coloration of the fruit, as shown, is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves, and a typical stone, with the fleshed removed. The colors in the photograph are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing, and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society) and the descriptions as provided hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the fourth fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at orchards of the assignee which are located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of California. All major color code designations are by reference to the RHS Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered medium-large as compared to             other common commercial nectarine cultivars ripening in the             early season of maturity. The tree of the present variety             was pruned to a height of approximately 250.0 cm to about             280.0 cm at commercial maturity.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous. The present variety grew from             about 150.0 cm to 155.0 cm in height during the first             growing season. The new nectarine tree variety was pruned to             a height of approximately 150.0 cm during the first dormant             season, and primary scaffolds were then selected for the             desired tree structure.         -   Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set varies from 2.5 to             several times more than the desired crop load. Fruit set is             spaced by thinning the tree to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with prevailing climatic conditions, and the             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of this new variety.         -   Bearer.—Regular. Fruit set has been heavy, and thinning of             the tree was necessary during the past 4 years.         -   Form.—Upright, and pruned into a vase shape.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense. It has been discovered             that pruning the branches from the center of the tree to             obtain a resulting vase shape allows for proper air movement             in the tree, and appropriate amounts of sunlight to enhance             fruit color and renewal of fruiting wood throughout the             tree.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA             Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chilling requirements of the new             tree are approximately 550 hours below 7.0 degrees C. The             variety appears to be hardy under typical central San             Joaquin Valley climatic conditions. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 13.0 cm in diameter when measured at             a distance of approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level.             This measurement was taken at the end of the fourth growing             season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous             folds of papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 4.0 to about 9.0             millimeters in width; and from about 1.0 to about 2.0             millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—Considered an Orange Brown, (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 166 C).         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to             be gray-brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177 A). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine tree             varieties. The branches have a diameter of about 6.8             centimeters when measured during the fourth year after             grafting.         -   Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood             which is several years old.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable             between about 46 to about 53 degrees from the horizontal             axis. This particular characteristic is not considered             distinctive of the variety, however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.5 to about 2.8 cm. This             tree characteristic is highly dependent upon plant             nutrition, soil quality, pruning and tree care and therefore             is not distinctive of the variety.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange             174 A).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — Light green, (RHS             Yellow-Green Group 143 A). The color of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green (RHS Green Group 141 B). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium-large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,             current-season growth, at approximately mid-shoot.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 155.0 to about 170.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 35.0 to about 38.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the leaf             longitudinal axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lancelolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Surface — Dark green, (approximately RHS             Green Group 139 A).         -   Leaf texture.—Glabrous.         -   Leaf color.—Lower Surface. — Medium green, (RHS Green Group             137 B).         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color — Light yellow green, (RHS Yellow-Green             Group 150 D).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating. Form. — Considered             crenate, occasionally doubly crenate. Uniformity. —             Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium long. Length. —             about 7.0 to about 9.0 mm. Diameter. — about 2.0 to about             2.5 mm. Color. — Pale green, (RHS Yellow-Green Group 150 C).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — About 1.0 mm in height, and about 1.0             mm in width. Number. — Generally one per side, occasionally             two per side. Type. — Reniform, considered reasonably             appressed relative to the petiole margin and considered             small. The glands on more mature leaves are occasionally             senescent. The leaves are early deciduous. Color. — Orange             brown, (RHS Grey-Brown Group N199 C).         -   Leaf stipules.—Size. — Medium for the variety. Number. —             Typically 2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per shoot tip. Form. —             Lanceolate in form, and having a serrated margin. Color. —             Green, (RHS Green Group 141 B) when young, but graduating to             a brown color, (RHS Greyed-Orange group 165 A) with             advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to be             early deciduous. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally — The floral buds, depending upon the             stage of development, are approximately 8.0 millimeters             wide; and about 13.0 millimeters long; conic in form; and             slightly appressed relative to the bearing shoot.         -   Flower buds.—Color — The bud scales are reddish-brown,             (approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 183 B). The buds are             considered hardy under typical central San Joaquin Valley             climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury has been noted during the last             several years of evaluation in the central San Joaquin             Valley. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, and therefore this             information is not available.         -   Date of first bloom.—Feb. 23, 2005.         -   Blooming time.—Considered early mid-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the central San Joaquin Valley. Date of full bloom was             observed on Mar. 4, 2003. The date of bloom varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions, and cultural             practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately             45.0 to about 50.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered very abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 flower buds appear per             node. Rarely 3 buds per node may be observed.         -   Petal size.—Generally — Considered large for the species.             Length. — Approximately 20.0 to about 24.0 millimeters.             Width. — Approximately 18.0 to about 21.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Rotund.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5. Occasionally individual flower             pedal counts are doubled.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Light pink, (RHS Red-Purple Group 62 C) to a             medium pink, (RHS Red-Purple Group 63 C).         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered truncate in             shape, and has a large size when compared to other             varieties. Length. — Approximately 9.0 to about 11.0             millimeters. Width. — Approximately 7.0 to about 9.0             millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth, to moderately undulate.         -   Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices generally appear             entire and without an apical groove.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium-long, and having             an average length of approximately 4.0 to about 5.0             millimeters. Diameter. — Considered average, approximately             3.0 millimeters. Color. — A pale green, (RHS Greyed Green             Group 195 A).         -   Floral nectaries.—Color. — A light green, (RHS Green Group             141 C).         -   Calyx.—Surface Texture. — Generally glabrous. Color. — A             dull red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group 187 B).         -   Sepals.—Surface Texture. — The surface has a short, fine,             pubescent texture. Size. — Average, and ovate in form.             Color. — A dark reddish purple, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Purple Group 187 A).         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Large in size. Color. — Red to reddish             purple, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group 187 D).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color, (approximately RHS Yellow Group 11 A).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Variable in length, approximately 17.0 to             about 20.0 millimeters in length. Color. — Considered a pale             pink, (RHS Red-Purple Group 65 C).         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1, rarely 2. Generally. — Large in             size. Length. — Approximately 18.0 to about 22.0 millimeters             including the ovary. Color. — Considered a very pale green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 145 C). Surface             Texture. — The variety has a long glabrous pistil. -   Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). Date of first picking. — May 25, 2005. Date of last picking. — Jun. 4, 2005. The date of harvest varies slightly with climatic conditions and crop load.

-   -   -   Size.—Generally — Considered relatively large, and uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 70.0 to about 75.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to about 71.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 208.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon cultural practices,             and therefore is not particularly distinctive of this new             variety.         -   Fruit form.—Globose-Shaped. The fruit is generally uniform             in symmetry.         -   Fruit suture.—Shallow, and extending from the base to apex.             No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture             line.         -   Suture.—Color — The background color appears to be white,             (approximately RHS White Group 155 C), with occasional red             coloration, (approximately RHS Red Group 46 C).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Full, to slightly extended.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded and relatively shallow. The average             depth of the stem cavity is about 1.0 cm. The average width             of the stem cavity is about 1.2 cm.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered medium in thickness, and             tenacious to the flesh. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste. —             Non-astringent. Tendency to crack. — A rare incidence of             cracking has been observed. Occasional russeting can be             observed in some years.         -   Color.—Blush Color. — The blush color is variable from a             medium red, (approximately RHS Red Group 45B); to a dark             red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group 183 B). Blush             color ranges from 75% to about 95% of the fruit surface             depending upon the amount of sunlight exposure and the             prevailing growing conditions. Ground Color. — Generally a             light yellow, (approximately RHS White Group 155 C).         -   Fruit stem.—Moderate in length, approximately 5.0 to about             7.0 millimeters. Diameter. — Approximately 2.0 to about 3.0             millimeters. Color. — Light tan, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 164 D).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Evenly. Texture. — Firm, and dense.             Considered non-melting. Fibers. — Few, small, and tender             ones are found. Aroma. — Slight. Eating Quality. —             Considered very good. Flavor. — Considered sweet and             sub-acidic. The flavor is considered pleasant. Juice. —             Moderate. Brix. — About 15.5 degrees. This characteristic             varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree; the             prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic             conditions. Flesh color. — Pale white, (approximately RHS             White Group 155 C).

-   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies with the resulting crop load, and tree vigor, and is             therefore is not considered a distinguishing characteristic             of this new variety.         -   Length.—Average, about 24.5 to about 29.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Average, about 23.0 to about 25.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average, about 17.0 to about 22.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—The stone is usually rotund relative to the stone's             vertical axis.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex has a raised tip.         -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture — The surface texture is             characterized generally by a concentric ridge/furrow pattern             which begins at the margins and drooping toward the apical             tip. Substantial grooving over the apical shoulders is             evident. Surface pitting is less generally noted than ridges             or furrows, but is more frequently observed in the             mid-section of the stone. Ridges. — The surface texture             varies from sharp to rounded. Ventral Edge. — Width —             Considered medium, and having a dimension of approximately             2.0 to about 4.0 millimeters when measured at the             mid-suture. The wings are most prominent over the suture             line. Occasionally a lower ridge will extend outside of the             stone margin, and along the ventral edge. Dorsal Edge. —             Shape. — Full, heavily grooved, and having a relatively             smooth edge.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is a pale orange             (Greyed-Orange Group approximately RHS 170 D).         -   Tendency to split.—Occasional splits have been noted.         -   Kernel.—Generally — The kernel is considered immature and             semi-gelatinous. Form. — Considered ovoid. Pellicle. —             Pubescent. Color. — Considered to be a pale brown             (Yellow-White Group 158 A).         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘Burnectwentytwo’ is considered to             be a Nectarine tree which matures early in the season, and             which produces fruit, which are considered firm,             attractively colored, and which are useful for both local             and long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit has stored well for up to             25 days after harvest at 1.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. The fruit of the new nectarine tree             variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh, or skin             damage, after being subjected to normal harvest and packing             procedures.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not             been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or             resistances to any known plant and/or fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored, white-fleshed, non-melting, sub-acid clingstone nectarine which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately May 25 to June 4 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 